PUTRAJAYA: Corporal Mohd Khairul Azhar Abbi Paisa, a survivor of the Ulu Tiram Police Station shooting incident in Johor, led the recitation of the Rukun Negara pledge during the 2024 National Day celebration today.
His powerful voice echoed across Dataran Putrajaya, shouting 'Merdeka' seven times, reminiscent of Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj's historic proclamation on Aug 31, 1957, at Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur.
Sixty six students from the Bachelor of Education Programme at the Institute of Teacher Education Ilmu Khas Campus in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur joined the reciting of the Rukun Negara.
On May 17, a 21-year-old man stormed into the Ulu Tiram police station at 2.54am, killing two police officers; Constable Ahmad Azza Fahmi Azhar, 22, and Constable Muhamad Syafiq Ahmad Said, 24.
Another police officer, Mohd Hanif, was critically injured. The attacker was later shot dead.
Meanwhile, Saiful Azam Khoo Abdullah, a lecturer and coordinator for the IPG Kampus Ilmu Khas team said this was the team's third appearance at a major national event, marking a significant honour for the institution.
"Unlike last year, where we recited the pledge in sign language, this year we performed it verbally with a parade formation and batik uniforms," he told Bernama.